Separable cuff-link.



v A. 1. NEWTON & J. s. CRAFT.

SEPARABLE CUFF LINK.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 5, 19l5.

Patented June 13,191

TEES

ALFRED J. NEWTON AND JOHN S. CRAFT, 0F PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND.

SEPARABLE CUFF-LINK.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 13, 1916.

Application filed November 6, 1915. Serial No. 60,143.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, ALFRED J. NEWTON and JOHN S. CRAFT, both subjects of the King of Great Britain, and residents of the city of Providence, in the county of Providence and State of Rhode Island, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in separable Cuff-Links, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to separable cuff links of the class designed to releasably connect the exposed edges of the cuff together, and the object of this invention is to provide a cuff link of improved construction comprising a pair of link members each having an inner and an outer head, the inner head being connected to the outer head by a post constructed of a. pair of spaced apart legs.

A further object of this invention is to provide a back plate for the outer head, notched on its periphery to receive the feet of the two legged post, whereby the rolling of the edge of the front plate over that of the back plate and said feet, securely locks and positively holds the post against the severe strains which are ordinarily applied to cuff buttons.

A further object of the invention is the provision of an opening in one of the inner heads, and the provision of a spring ribbed sphere on the other of the inner heads, which latter is adapted to be forced into said opening so that-the separate members may be readily connected together and as readily separated.

A further object of this invention is to form one of the legs of each member shorter than the other, whereby the inner head is set at an angle to the outer head so that upon connecting together the converging edges of a stiff cuff the inner heads will set parallel with each other, and the outer heads parallel with the outer surface of the cuff fabric- With these and other objects in view the invention consists of certain novel features of construction as will be more fully described and particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings: Figure 1-is an edge view of a cuff showing my improved separable cuff links securing its exposed edges together. Fig. 2is a perspective view showing a detail of the two legged post as out from sheet stock. Fig. 3-shows the legs of the post as bent at substantially right angles to the plane of the plates. Fig. 4Eis a perspective view of the backing plate showing its notched edges for receiving the lower ends and feet of the post. Fig. 5is a perspective view of the cup shaped front plate. Fig. 6is an elevation showing the edge of the front plate as rolled over that of the back plate and the feet. Fig. 7shows the post that supports the sphere and the boss thereon which limits the contraction of the supported ends of the spring ribs. Fig. 8shows the sphere as locked in position onto the inner head by rolling the edge of the cap thereover. Fig. 9is a detail showing the ribs of the spring ball as cut from sheet stock. Fig.

10-shows the ribs as bent into a substantially spherical shape. Fig. 11-is a perspective view of the cap which binds the spring ball to the inner head of the post. Fig. 12is an end view showing the sphere attached to the outer head by the rolled edge of the front plate. Fig. '13is a side view of the two link members showing one leg of each shorter than the other. Fig. 14shows'the links having legs of uneven length connected to a cuff.

Referring to the drawings, 10 designates the post portion of the two link members. This post is preferably struck from sheet stock as shown in Fig. 2, having a fiat substantially circular plate 11 with two oppositely extending legs 1212 to the ends of which are formed feet 13 preferably in the shape of the letter T so as to give them greater bearing surface. These legs are next bent down substantially at right angles to the plane of the plate 11, and the feet 13 are bent outward at substantially right angles to the legs. In securing this post member with its plate or head 11 to the outer head 14, we preferably form a back plate 15 of the desired shape and notch the same as at 16 on its opposite edges to receive the T shaped feet 13 and ends of the legs 12. We next form a cup shaped front plate, which may be of gold or other metal carrying any ornamental design and of a shape to fit the back plate. In assembling this group the feet 13 are placed in the notches 16 and the whole then placed in the front plate 17, the edge 18 of which is then rolled over the edge of the backing plate and also over the T shaped feet 13 as illustrated in Fig. 6, securely locking the whole together against any of the severe strains which are usually applied to a cuff link.

In one of the cuff link members the plate 11 is provided with a central opening 19 for the reception of a spring ribbed spherical shaped catch or retaining member, presently described. This retaining member is preferably formed by cutting a piece of sheet stock into the form illustrated in Fig. 9, having a plurality of radiating ribs 20, these ribs are then bent around into substantially a spherical form as illustrated in Fig. 10, the ends 21 of the ribs beingv passed through the opening :22 in the cup shaped member 23, and then bent outward in the form illustrated in Fig. 10, and this spherical member is secured to the face of the inner head 11, by rolling the edge 2% of this cup over that of the plate 11. The post which is to carry the ribbed sphere is provided with an outwardly extending boss 25 which extends between the ribs in the manner illustrated in Fig. 8 to limit their inward spring movement or contraction.

By our improved construction it will be seen that the post member being formed of two spaced apart legs, has a number of important advantages over the ordinary center post, first, it is very inexpensive yet strong and durable in construction, second, all the parts may be cut from sheet stock and secured together by swaging and rolling entirely without the use of solder, third, the spaced apart legs of the post when positioned in the button hole of the cuff, effec tually prevents the rotation of the button therein, thereby ornamental outer heads of unlimited design may be employed and effectually retained in the desired relative position; fourth, this construction of post serves for both members of the cuff link, the only change being, that one is provided with an opening 19 through its center, while the other is provided with a protuberance 25 as illustrated in Fig. 7.

lVhen our improved cuff link is applied to a soft cufi as illustrated in Fig. 1, both the legs of each post may be of the same length as the soft cuff yields readily and conforms to the position of the links, but when the links are applied to the stilf or starched form of cuff, it is found that the legs of each post should be made, one shorter than the other, so as to permit the outer heads to set at an angle to the plane of the inner heads, to more nearly conform to the plane of the outer surface of the cuff fabric as best' illustrated in Fig. 14.

The members of our improved cuff links are shown and described as having the legs of each post connected to the outer head by rolling the edge of the front plate thereover, but we do not wish to be limited to this particular construction, as the legs of the posts may be connected to the outer head by solder or other suitable means as desired.

We claim:

1. A separable cuff link comprising a pair of link members each having an inner and an outer head, said inner head being con nected to the outer head by a pair of spaced apart legs with outwardly turned feet, a backing plate for the outer head notched on its edge to receive said feet, a front plate having its edge rolled over that of said back plate and over said feet rigidly fastening said feet to said plates, and means for detachably connecting said link members together.

2. A separable cuff link comprising a pair of link members each having an inner and an outer head, said inner head being connected to the outer head by a post comprising two spaced apart legs having outwardly turned feet, a backing plate for the outer head notched on its periphery to receive said feet, a front plate having its edge rolled over that of said back plate and over said feet to lock the parts together, the inner head of one of said posts having a spring ribbed sphere secured thereto, and the inner head of the other having an opening therein into which said sphere is adapted to be forced whereby said members are detachably connected together.

In testimony whereof we affix our signatures in presence of two witnesses.

ALFRED J. NEWTON. JOHN S. CRAFT.

Witnesses HOWARD E. BARLOVV; M. F. HUTTER.

Genres of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissibner of Patents,

Washington, D. G. 

